Argentina pull out of MCG ‘Superclasico’ fixture against Brazil

Next month’s planned Superclasico football match at the MCG has been cancelled with Argentina backing out of its contractual agreement to play rivals Brazil.

The match had been due to take place on 11th June 11 but organisers confirmed this week that the fixture will not go ahead as Argentina are no longer prepared to travel to Australia for the match.

Organisers advised “regrettably, (we) have been informed by Pitch, the Superclasico 11 June 2022 match agent, that contrary to their prior agreement and commitment to do so, Argentina are no longer prepared to travel to Australia for the match against Brazil.”

With around 60,000 tickets having already been sold, event organisers are reported to now be working with key stakeholders connected to the match to review all options for the fixture, with further updates to be provided as quickly as possible.

Following the announcement of the cancellation of the game, Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula said he was “pretty p**sed off” at Argentina's withdrawl.

As reported by Guardian Australia, Minister Pakula stated “I think they owe Australian football fans an explanation because they haven’t provided an acceptable explanation to the promoter.

“I know Brazil is very upset. It’s really impacting their preparation for the World Cup.

“It’s a game that would have been extremely popular here in Melbourne. I welcome the comments by the promoter overnight that all the fans will receive a full refund.”

Brazil and Argentina last met at the MCG in 2017 in a match that attracted more than 95,000 fans. It marked the largest crowd for a football match at the stadium and next month’s fixture was due to serve as a warm-up for both teams ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.

The Superclasico was created in 2011 as a two-game series between Brazil and Argentina before becoming a one-off match at a neutral venue from 2014. The most recent edition took place at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Earlier this week, FIFA ruled that Argentina and Brazil must replay a Qatar 2022 qualifier which was suspended in September amid complaints that Argentina players had violated COVID-19 protocols.

Both teams have qualified for the World Cup and neither side has committed to playing the qualifier. FIFA wants the match to take place in September, just two months before the start of the World Cup.

Image: Fans of Argentina and Brazil. Credit: Shutterstock.